The tarp is on the field in Omaha

OMAHA, Neb. — With a stiff wind blowing from the north and heavy rain on the radar screen, the field crew at Rosenblatt Stadium has just covered the infield with tarp. It doesn’t appear likely that we’ll start at 6 p.m. as scheduled.

When we do see the first pitch, it will be thrown by LSU right-hander Austin Ross. Ross, considered the Tigers’ third-best starter, got the nod instead of No. 2 starter Anthony Ranaudo. Ranaudo pitched Friday and would have been working on three days’ rest. The difference between the two pitchers is significant, with Ross sporting a 5.09 ERA while allowing opposing hitters to hit .300, and Ranaudo checking in with a 2.87 ERA while allowing a .202 batting average.